Thursday, September 10, 2015

Review: Grayson's Vow by Mia Sheridan





A full-length, standalone romance from the New York Timesbestselling author of Archer's Voice.

Kira Dallaire is desperate.

Some challenges in life seem too hard to overcome. With little money, and even fewer options, the quick-witted and vibrant twenty-two-year-old needs to reinvent herself. Known for her generous heart and impulsive personality, she devises a survival plan, possibly her most outrageous idea yet. 

Grayson Hawthorn is losing hope.

Some obstacles in life seem too hard to overcome. Betrayal definitely being one of them. With limited capital, and dwindling resources, he is attempting to resurrect his failing family vineyard, a self-imposed vow seemingly destined to fail. That is until a young woman enters his office with an outlandish, unexpected proposition impossible to refuse. 

What begins as a temporary business arrangement, soon evolves into more as vivacious, spirited Kira challenges detached, arrogant Grayson to want more from life. To want more for himself. But as their wills clash and fiery passion ignites, they'll realize that sometimes the past creates walls too difficult to climb, and that lies and deception rarely precede a happily every after.

As Kira and Grayson race toward their destiny, they will discover that some vows are meant to be broken, and others are worth risking everything for . . . even your very own heart.

THIS IS A STANDALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY LIBRA. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.



4.5 Fantastic Stars! 

Review by Jen Hagen 


Mia and I go way back…all the way back to where the Sign of Love series began with Leo.  I look forward to every book of hers like I look forward to cracking open my next can of diet coke.  Even though I know what I’m going to be tasting, it’s still like the very first time.  I know she is going to give me depth, angst, heartbreak and eventually a happy ending, and I will savor every delicious word until I reach the end.  You do not need to have read any of the previous books in this series as there is no character overlapping.  

Grayson is 28-years-old and has had a difficult life.  He has been out of prison for one year following a 5-year sentence and when he was released he found that the family vineyard that was once his father’s pride and joy was in shambles.  His father passed away while he was in prison and left the vineyard to Grayson.  Grayson never found a sense of belonging in the family that consisted of his father, step-mother, and half brother.  He has made it his vow to keep the family vineyard running and bring it back up to the lavish home it once was.  Sadly, the money has run out and Grayson has been forced to lay off practically all workers.  For a place that once employed 175, it is now down to a meager 6.  Equipment can’t be fixed and Grayson feels he has reached the bottom.  He believes his father left him the estate knowing that Grayson would be dedicated and the right person to get it back into running order. He is ashamed that he could not live up to the silent vow that he made to his father – he is disappointed in himself for letting his father down.  

Kira is in the same boat as Grayson – down on her luck and living on the last of her funds.  Kira could have an easy life if she would give in to the orders of her father – a powerful mayor and once an influential lawyer – but that is not the life that Kira wants to live.  She wants to make it on her own and be able to help others at the same time.  She is a very giving person, very comical, and comes up with some big plans that usually have a bad outcome.  She hears Grayson’s loan denial and comes up with one of her big plans.

Grayson and Kira were oil and water – then they were passion and lust – and lastly fire and ice.  It was a tough to watch Grayson’s walls break down only to once again build up them up…up and down they went until eventually the wall was higher than it had ever been.  Behind the walls was a man hurt, broken, and only had his words as weapons but those words could slay a dragon.  They were very hurtful.    Eventually Grayson will break and even though he has hurt Kira with words, she is there for him when his world is crushed by the truth of his late father’s belief.

His legs collapsed beneath him, and he slid down to the floor, burrowing his head in his arms.  I let out a small startled cry and rushed forward, dropping onto the carpet with him and wrapping my arms around his shaking body.  And as I held him, he did what he had probably needed to do for six long years, more likely his whole life; he cried.

Now is the time for Grayson to accept the truth, heal, and move forward.  Moving forward is what they both want and need, but there are still more secrets in the closet that can destroy them.  Will they have enough strength in their undeclared love to withstand the final blow to Grayson’s esteem and pride?

“I want to tell you that I trust you, and that I love you, and that I don’t want to live my life without you.  And I’m hoping you’ll forgive me for pushing you away, for saying such cruel things to you, for lying, and I hope…I hope you can help me forgive myself.  I’m sorry, I’m so very sorry.”  His voice was a raw ache and my heart leapt in my chest. 



I will admit that about 50% I hit a lull, but once I got to 60% I was on a constant roller coaster.  There was buildup…there was wondering when it was going to drop…there was the stomach-plummeting sensations…there was the plateau, and it was a ride I seemed to be on for various loops and I didn’t want to find a way to stop the roller coaster.  I wanted it to keep going.  As much as I hate roller coasters in real life, I cannot deny my love for them while reading a book.  I really wanted to grab onto somebody though and have them tell me it was going to be alright.  I loved the moments that Grayson would sucker punch me with his words and actions (I think out of all the Signs of Love men he has been the most infuriating!), but I also loved the banter between the “scaly dragon” and the “little witch” – adding humor to an angsty book is well appreciated to lighten those moments.    Thank you Mia for another wonderful book and I look forward to the next. 







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